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January 2017

Announcements 
Ascend to Provide PASRR Level II Evaluation Changes for Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
The Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (DDRS) Bureau of Developmental Disabilities Services (BDDS), under the direction of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), has awarded Ascend, a MAXIMUS Company, the contract to provide statewide PASRR Level II evaluations to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) beginning January 3rd, 2017. Department of Mental Health and Additions (DMHA) will continue to complete Level II assessments for individuals with identified or suspected behavioral health diagnoses, when no IDD is identified or suspected. Ascend is excited for the opportunity to work with Indiana and providers to ensure individuals receive needed services and supports.
 
PASRR Level II Referral Process Has Been Updated
Ascend has updated the PASRR Level II Referral Process document to reflect the changes in the IDD Level II process that began January 3rd. View those changes here or under the Other Resources section on Ascend's Indiana PASRR website.

Training
Q & A Sessions
Ascend will begin hosting quarterly live Q & A sessions beginning in March. These sessions will be hosted by an Ascend representative who will answer questions about the PAS/PASRR process using Assessment Pro.
 
The first Q & A session is scheduled for March 9th at 2 PM CST. Click here to register.
Additional Resources
For more information about the Indiana PAS/PASRR process, visit the  Ascend Indiana PASRR website . This site contains a variety of tools and resources, including:
  • Training Checklist 
  • Provider Manual
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Training Videos
  • User Guides
  • Past Newsletters
  • Past Webinars
  • Glossary of Terms
  • System Administrator Information
     

Important Reminders
As you complete evaluations in Assessment Pro, remember the following important reminders:
  1. Be sure to review and enter the correct pay source.
     
  2. A LOC is required only for: 
              - individuals for whom the nursing facility will seek Medicaid reimbursement and 
                  - persons who require a Level II evaluation (regardless of payer.)
     
  3. Remember to admit and discharge individuals in the PathTracker system. This information is entered into Indiana's Medicaid system to facilitate Medicaid payments to your facility.
     
  4. Be sure to submit continued stay requests in a timely manner. Ten to fourteen days prior to the end date of the current approval should guarantee a timely outcome determination.
     
  5. A federally required Level I PASRR screening must be completed before a Level II referral can be made. Please do not contact the Level II entity to complete a Level II evaluation prior to receiving the Level I outcome determination of "Refer for Level II."  
     
  6. The LOC Short or Long form is generated by the review "Type," which is selected by the provider. The provider must complete the Short or Long form, depending on which one is generated by the system.  
     
  7. Documentation is required for persons with a known or suspected behavioral health diagnosis to ensure mental/behavioral stability prior to PASRR approval to a NF. Failure to submit, when requested, will result in a delay. The review will be cancelled by the system if requested information is not received within 14 calendar days.
     
  8. Reviews will be cancelled if requested information is not received within 14 calendar days. Please submit ASAP, as to not delay the review process. If the review is cancelled and still needed, a new referral will be required.
     
  9. Hospitals should forward a copy of the PASRR approval to the NF, if the approval was issued to the hospital submitter.
     
  10. Ascend will request a LOC be submitted for persons who:
  • require a Level II evaluation, regardless of pay source
  • are seeking Medicaid reimbursement for NF stay
  • are converting to Medicaid from another pay source (Medicare, private pay, private insurance, etc.)

Nursing Facility Payment Issues
  • Remember there is a Tip Sheet available if you have questions about billing issues. Please allow at least ten (10) business days from the completion of all required assessments and admission date information in AssessmentPro and PathTracker for the payment authorization to reach the Medicaid system so that you can bill for your services.

  • If you email the PASRR Help Desk with billing issues, please allow at least seven (7) business days for a response. Response times are made faster if you provide ALL needed information and if you have assured that AssessmentPro and PathTracker entries are made appropriately.

  • When you receive your response that the issue has been resolved, the Help Desk staff will generally note that you need to wait 48 hours before billing again. Please do NOT contact the Help Desk again until after you have waited that full 48-hour period and then billed again. Also, keep in mind that not all denials are due to LOC entry issues. If the Help Desk indicates that the entry ahs been made, look closely at your denial reason and contact your HP Field Rep for additional assistance if necessary.

  • Making sure you have correct information in AssessmentPro helps to prevent delays. Check Medicaid number, spelling of first and last name, Social Security Number, and date of birth carefully.

  • When you anticipate using Medicaid as payor, even if the application is pending, it is a good idea to get your level of care submitted right away.

  • When transferring from one facility to another, be sure the discharging NF makes its entry in PathTracker and then the receiving NF makes its entry. Timely entries from both help to facilitate payment.

Logo Change on Level II Letters
Level II letters have been updated to include the Ascend logo in the top left-hand corner. You will see this change starting 1/31/17.
Subscribe to this email update to stay informed of information and resources regarding Indiana PAS/PASRR.
The Indiana Division of Aging will continue to reach out to you with news and information on changes and training opportunities through this email newsletter. To learn more about the PAS/PASRR process, visit this website. 
 
We are privileged to work with you to ensure individuals in Indiana receive the services and supports they need.
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